Congressman Ron DeSantis, the Republican nominee for Governor, warned Floridians on Fox News not to "monkey this up" by embracing the agenda of Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee.

"The last thing we need to do is monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state," DeSantis said in an interview this morning with FOX News Anchor Sandra Smith about running against the Tallahassee mayor, 10 hours after both cinched their party nominations.

The quote followed statements that Gillum was "an articulate spokesman" for leftist views.

Ana Navarro, a Republican strategist and political consultant who frequently contributes to Telemundo, took to Twitter to criticize DeSantis.

"As a Floridian, it was my hope this Governor’s race would be about the pressing issues facing our state - rising tides, algae outbreak, trade, economy, jobs," Navarro said. "I had hoped it would not be one were racism was front and center. That hope lasted all of 10 hours."

Stephen Lawson, communications director for the DeSantis campaign, said in an email that “Ron DeSantis was obviously talking about Florida not making the wrong decision to embrace the socialist policies that Andrew Gillum espouses. To characterize it as anything else is absurd."

FOX News' Smith issued the following statement after the DeSantis campaign issued the clarification:

“A little while ago, we had Ron DeSantis, the Republican nominee for governor in Florida on for an interview to discuss the Florida election. During the interview, he made what some are calling an inappropriate comment about his democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum.

Former state Rep. Alan Williams, center, celebrates the democratic gubernatorial nomination of Andrew Gillum with supporters during his election watch party at Hotel Duval on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018. Joe Rondone/Democrat

With his family and closest supporters by his side, Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum secured the Democratic nomination for the govenor of Florida on Tuesday after a close race between him and party rival Gwen Graham. Andrew Salinero/Democrat

With his family and closest supporters by his side, Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum secured the Democratic nomination for the govenor of Florida on Tuesday after a close race between him and party rival Gwen Graham. Andrew Salinero/Democrat